Today’s story is about one of our longest running cases here at Beyond, or back then, we were known as CALA. Xochitl came to us in 2015 through our community partner, Enlace, because she wanted to apply for asylum for her and her daughter. Beyond worked with Xochi and her application was officially submitted in January 2016. However, there was an overwhelming backlog, and Xochi’s asylum application wasn’t adjudicated until the end of 2020! Despite the 4-year long wait before hearing anything, Xochi remained positive, “I was very hopeful that everything would work out. I’m very thankful for the Beyond staff who kept me informed during this time.”

Then, the Dept of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services requested more evidence for the asylum application, which we submitted, and Xochi was conditionally approved in January 2021. This was a small win, but the 5-year wait was agonizing for Xochi. Thankfully, after 6 long years, her asylum application was finally approved in March 2022! When asked what this application approval meant to her, Xochi said, “it means a lot. It’s been a blessing to me and my family. I’m now able to have stable work and before I was not.” Now with her asylum approval, she will be able to apply for a green card, but not until 2025. Again, Xochi chooses to remain optimistic, “I feel anxious and hopeful about the green card application, but we have to have positivity no matter what.”

Unfortunately, this is just the immigration process in the U.S right now: long wait times and no benefits or protections. This is your reminder to be grateful if you did not need to flee your home country in order to feel safe. With the immigration process only getting more complicated, legal aid is needed now more than ever. Please consider supporting Beyond’s work in the community by making a donation today.